Serving the Farming Industry across the Midlands for 35 Years
Spotlight to shine bright on crop trials at Arable Event
Winter cereal trial plots will be under scrutiny when more than 1,500 visitors attend the Arable Event on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border next month. Organised by Wynnstay and Graintrial plots of wheat, barley, oats, hybrid rye and triticale. It takes place on 19 June at Woodlands Farm, which is part... Read more
Retailers ‘must help farmers rebound from wet weather’
Britain’s supermarket bosses are being urged to help UK farmers bounce back from the disastrously wet winter and spring. In a joint letter to major retailers, leaders of Britain’s four main farm unions say the challenging weather has brought food security into sharp focus. And they call on supermarket... Read more
Lincolnshire couple create award-winning lamb brand
A Lincolnshire couple who started with modest beginnings have built a sizeable sheep flock and created an award-winning retail food brand. Chris and Louise Elkington bought their first 30 sheep a decade ago. Today, they have a flock of breeding ewes and market every lamb reared through their Gelston... Read more
Growers switch to SFI to fend off weather woes
More growers are switching land into agri-environment schemes – as they try to cut their losses following a challenging year and wet winter. Provisional farm income figures from Defra suggests a slump in income across a range of enterprises in the year to February 2024 – including cereals (-77%),... Read more
You can push through, says young farmer
A young farmer is undertaking a challenging feat of endurance to highlight mental health issues in agriculture. Tom York, a volunteer with the Farming Community Network (FCN) and a student at Harper Adams University, will compete in a gruelling Ultimate Triathlon – comprising a 2.4-mile swim, 122-mile bike ride,... Read more
New glasshouse facility at Riseholme Campus
A new net zero glasshouse research and development facility is set for the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme campus. The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is providing a grant of £1,333,000 for the project, and the University of Lincoln is providing a further £888,666 – bringing the total project cost... Read more
Government makes pledge on UK food security
Grants worth £427m will be opened to farmers this year – following an announcement by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at last month’s NFU conference. The package will include £220m for technology and productivity schemes, said Mr Sunak – ensuring the government delivered on its commitment to maintain the farming... Read more
Big farmland bird count gears up for 2024
Farmers are being encouraged to take part in this month’s Big Farmland Bird Count – and provide a vital snapshot of the health of Britain’s cherished farmland birds. The annual nationwide survey takes place from 2-18 February. It raises awareness of the role farmers play in the farmland bird... Read more
Defra considers options following winter floods
More farmers could be paid to store floodwater on their land – helping to protect communities from extreme weather. It follows a series of winter storms which has seen farmland flooded across the Midlands and East Anglia – with fields likely to remain submerged for weeks to come and... Read more
Fatstock Cup double for Oswestry farmer
Oswestry sheep farmer Martin Jones completed a notable silverware double at Christmas fatstock show and sales at livestock markets in Shropshire. Mr Jones, from Lower Forest, The Racecourse, followed a  cup win at Oswestry Market by winning the silverware on offer in the Christmas Fatstock Show and Sale at... Read more